Friday, December 28, 2007

Because the girls were so good this year, they got two presents from Santa! They hadn't asked Santa for these, but he knew they'd love them. Alli got a Puppy in my Pocket purse. They are tiny little fuzzy dogs that you can keep in a cute purse. Kimmi got some for her birthday in November and Alli was wanting some so badly! She couldn't believe Santa knew about that! Kimmi got some Moon Shoes from Santa! You strap them on your feet and you've got a trampoline wherever you go! Kimmi had wanted these for a long time. On the box it said "for ages 7 and up". We're convinced that Santa knew that and was waiting for Kimmi to turn 7 so she could have them!

The highlight of our Christmas was by far the "coupons" we had everyone make for each other. We started the Christmas season by telling the girls that we didn't have a lot of money to spend this year, but that a lot of times the best presents don't cost a thing. We asked them if they'd like to make coupons as gifts. They were so excited to do it! We put construction paper and envelopes out and let them have total control over how many they'd like to make, etc. Drew and I made a few for the girls, but it really was the girls that made this so successful! They mostly did coupons to each other. They were so sweet! Alli gave Kimmi some that said she'd make Kimmi's bed for her and to help her with something. Kimmi gave Alli ones that said she'd share her toys with her, help her read a book, and help her get something out of the cupboard that she couldn't reach herself. They also made ones for me that said they'd help with the dishes, rub my back, and play with my hair! Drew got ones that said he could have foot rubs, back rubs, and cuddles from them! Drew gave the girls coupons to come eat lunch at their school with them and to take them on dates to look at the pet store and get ice cream! I gave the girls coupons for curlers in their hair and bubble baths. Overall, it was a huge hit! I think we might make this a tradition!

We had a wonderful Christmas this year! We didn't have a lot...but we were really blessed with the generosity of our families. The girls were great at not asking for a ton of things this year. They really thought hard about what they wanted and narrowed it down to only a couple things. They were able to get all they wanted and a little more. After waiting for Mom and Dad to wake up, the girls were dying to go downstairs! Dad went and put his homemade cinnamon rolls in the oven (YUM!) and then told the girls to come down. I'm not sure why this happened...but instead of diving into their stockings right away, they went straight to the notes Santa had left them! I was so surprised! I'm sure I never did that as a kid! Finally they dug through their stockings to see what Santa brought them. Usually we take a break after stockings and eat the cinnamon rolls, but they were still cooking. So, we let them open their Santa gifts. Alli had asked for an Airbrush Doodle Bear from Santa. Instead of just the markers to draw on the bear, you can use the airbrush and stencils as well. It makes it look really cool. Then you can pop it in the washer and start all over again! She was so excited to get it. Kimmi had asked Santa for a Littlest Pet Shop Journal. It's really cute. You can select a password and when spoken correctly the dog will bark happily and the journal will open. If you don't say the right password the dog will growl at you and the journal won't open. She's been having fun changing the password and having us try and get into her journal.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Well, it was my birthday on Thursday. I'm officially "in my 30's" as Drew would say. Oh well. I guess it's not that bad. I had an eventful day at work to start out. After doing kindergarten until noon, I had to sub in a second grade class. You'd think they'd be better than a kindergarten class...but think again!! They were horrible! I'm really seeing, now that I am a sub, how mistreated they are! I should be making more money to deal with other people's crazy kids!! Anyway, I was wiped out by the time I got home! When Drew got home we started making a gingerbread house...didn't quite finish it until the next day. Mom H said she would make dinner for us that night...which was awesome in and of itself! When we got there she was the only one there. (she said Dad had to go into the office and Josh was somewhere too) After a couple presents were opened, they sang happy birthday to me. Mom brought out a cherry cheesecake with candles in it. I thought it was a little weird that we did that before we ate dinner...until I saw that the table was only set for two people!! Mom had cooked dinner for me and Drew and then took the girls to McDonalds and put them to bed for us! She had also given me a movie (The Holiday...love it!!!) so she let us stay in her empty house and watch it after we ate!! What an awesome surprise!! It was just what I needed after an exhausting day at work! It turned out to be a great day! Thanks for all the well wishes from everyone!! It's always so nice to hear from you all. Oh, and a happy birthday to my dad as well...I miss getting to be together on our special day so much! I love you!

Saturday, December 1, 2007

A couple weeks ago the craziness of the Ohio State vs. Michigan football game invaded our house. The week leading up to the big day is full of trash talking and anticipation. It's one of the best weeks of the year! Over the years we've really tried to help the girls understand the importance of this game. Well, this year it finally seemed that we might be getting through to them. Saturday morning came and we had music from The Ohio State University Marching Band (TBDBITL!!) playing loudly throughout the house as we cooked and watched College Game Day. Kimmi disappeared for a little while and we didn't really think much of it. Well, a bit later Kimmi comes into the room carrying this poster she made all by herself. It was totally her idea to make it for the game. So, we hung it up right above the tv for some good luck...in fact, it's still there today!We really think the poster "helped" our team because they did "beat stinkey Mishigin!" We're going to laminate it and have it be part of our decorations every year when Michigan week comes to our house! Thanks, Kimmi, for the totally awesome poster! "Ohio State rulles!!" Here's to hoping either West Virginia or Missouri lose tonight so we can play for the National Championship! GO BUCKEYES!!

About Me

Drew and I met while we were missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in Southern California. We got married in February 2000 in the Billings, MT LDS Temple. Our first daughter, Kimberlee Diane, joined our family 9 months later!! Allison Rose came to join us in September of 2002. We've spent our married life in Ohio, Montana, and now Virginia. Drew is starting his MBA program at Virginia Tech. He will graduate in May of 2010. In September we were blessed with a new addition to our family...our first son, David Andrew. We hope you enjoy a peek into our lives through this blog!